Yangzhou State Guesthouse

We stayed in a Grand Deluxe Courtyard King Room (1st floor with courtyard) in Building 8, Furong Garden. To break it down: Building 8 is close to Slender West Lake (not lakeside, but within walking distance). The 'Mountain View' rooms overlook a green forest, while 'Water View' rooms face an inner courtyard pond. If you want a small courtyard, definitely choose a 1st-floor room; I assume rooms on the second floor and above are called 'scenic view' rooms. I took some photos of the exteriors of rooms 105 and 108 during cleaning for everyone's reference. **Amenities:** Yangzhou in early summer was hot and humid, but having a small courtyard made it feel much more open. I can only imagine how pleasant it would be to drink tea there when it's cooler. The mattress firmness was perfect for me (not too soft), and the air conditioning was quiet with stable temperature control. The room came with a dehumidifier, which was very practical, especially after hanging clothes. The staff even brought over a drying rack when they came for turndown service and helped set it up – a definite plus. The bathtub came with Bvlgari toiletries, and Evian water was provided (they were generous with replenishments). I can't quite remember how many mini-bar items there were, four or five perhaps. The first round was complimentary, and they didn't check it upon checkout. A large bottle of Nongfu Spring water was also provided for tea, which was appropriate for the price point. **Service:** Throughout our stay, the service was comfortable and stress-free. From the lobby to the butler, every staff member was professional and patient, answering questions clearly and efficiently. The shuttle service within the garden was on-call; whether by WeChat or phone, we rarely waited more than a few minutes – completely hassle-free. **Additional tips on dining and attractions:** We didn't plan much in advance, mostly checking things on the fly and asking the butler. A small suggestion for the hotel: it might be helpful to compile frequently asked questions and relevant local information to proactively send to guests. **Quyuan Teahouse:** Turn right out of Building 8's lobby, cross two small bridges, and you're there. We had both breakfast and dinner there. The prices are on the higher side, but the experience was well worth it. For breakfast on Saturday, we got a number at 8 AM and walked right in. For dinner, we were also among the first to be seated at 5 PM (Note: some rooms in Building 8 have windows directly facing the teahouse, so if this is a concern, you can inquire with the front desk beforehand). **Slender West Lake:** During the day, you can enter directly from the stone bridge next to the teahouse (admission fee applies). For night tours, you need to take the shuttle to the hotel's south gate, walk along the asphalt road to the main road, and then cross a bridge past the pedicabs to reach the south gate. The night boat tour is not recommended; the views are limited, and it's purely for transport. However, the park's night performance is worth seeing, especially since you're already there. **A small reminder:** Building 8 is not waterside, so if you're looking for a lake view right outside your window, you'll need to choose another building. Also, as regular guests, we didn't experience many high-end services, but based on our personal experience, our three-day, two-night stay far exceeded expectations. This room type is a definite recommend!

Yangzhou Yingbinguan (Yangzhou Xiyuan Hotel) truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier garden hotel in Yangzhou. Spanning over 400 acres, it's a complete Jiangnan-style garden in itself. The environment, location, and exclusive experiences are all top-notch. Even without entering the Slender West Lake scenic area, staying here allows you to enjoy a private part of the lake's scenery. It offers both great value for money and a relaxing atmosphere. **I. Irreplaceable Location Advantage** The hotel is separated from Slender West Lake by a body of water and features an exclusive express通道 for guests. You don't have to queue at the main scenic area entrance; you can walk directly to the core area by the lake. Building No. 1, Shoufanyuan, where we stayed, is the closest building to Slender West Lake in the entire hotel. From the room window, you can see a small patch of lake view with weeping willows, enjoying the scenery of Slender West Lake without even leaving your room. Additionally, Building No. 1 is only a 2-minute walk from the Black Pearl-rated Qüyuan Teahouse, making it incredibly convenient to enjoy authentic Yangzhou morning tea without a long trek through the park. **II. Exclusive Features and Immersive Ambiance** 1. **Commemorative Souvenirs:** You can get exclusive hotel postcards at the front desk, and there are several spots within the garden where you can stamp them as a souvenir. You can also get a custom room key card, which makes for a meaningful travel keepsake. 2. **Explore the Expansive Gardens:** The entire guesthouse is filled with pavilions, waterside terraces, rockeries, and long corridors, with lush greenery everywhere. Every step offers a new view, and you won't get tired even after strolling for half a day. The internal scenery is as exquisite as that of paid gardens. If you get tired of walking in the vast park, you can call for a free shuttle at any time. 3. **Weekend Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances:** On weekends, there are intangible cultural heritage mini-theaters, where you can watch Yangzhou's intangible cultural heritage puppet shows and folk music performances without having to leave the hotel. **III. Living Experience in Building No. 1 (Pros and Cons of the 'Old Cadre Style' Building)** **Pros:** 1. **Rich Historical Heritage:** In its early years, it was exclusively used for official government receptions, showcasing a classic 'old cadre' Chinese style. The solid wood furniture and sophisticated aesthetic are timeless and enduring, looking far from cheap. 2. **Waterside Location:** Surrounded by lush vegetation, the building offers maximum privacy and tranquility, with almost no noise from crowds. 3. **Well-Maintained Rooms:** Although it's an older building, the overall condition isn't outdated. The space is generous, and the bedding and soft furnishings are meticulously maintained. **Sole Drawback:** The bathroom hardware has a noticeable drawback: the shower pressure is low, and the water flow is weak, making for a mediocre experience when washing hair or showering. **IV. Overall Summary** There's a good reason why Yingbinguan consistently receives rave reviews: it boasts private views of Slender West Lake, its own Black Pearl-rated morning tea, vast garden grounds, unique commemorative souvenirs, and a full range of leisure activities. If you prefer a tranquil, retro atmosphere and want to experience the quality of a traditional state guesthouse, Building No. 1 is an excellent choice. The only thing you'll need to adapt to is the low shower pressure. If you're looking for brand-new modern facilities, consider buildings No. 8 or No. 18. For our trip, having already visited Slender West Lake, staying here meant we didn't need to re-enter the scenic area. We could enjoy a comparable lake and garden experience right within the hotel, perfectly meeting our need for a relaxed vacation.

I came here with high expectations, and it truly lived up to the hype. This time, I booked the Shanyue Courtyard King Room in Building 8 of the Imperial Guesthouse. Before checking in, I specifically requested a courtyard with a swing, and they wonderfully accommodated my request. Before booking, I saw some reviews mentioning that Building 8 is close to Quyuan Teahouse and that you could hear calling out numbers in the morning. Luckily, my room didn't have that issue, but I could still hear faint noises from the next room when standing at the bathroom sink, so I think the soundproofing in this area could use some improvement. The room has a bathtub, and they provide disposable bath liners (you need to call the front desk or contact your butler in advance for them) and bath salts. The hairdryer is a Dyson, the toiletries are Bvlgari, and the bottled water is Evian. My only confusion about this room is the toilet. For a hotel and room of this caliber, in a new building no less, it's surprisingly not a smart toilet. You have to lift the toilet seat after using it, as the flush button is behind the seat. Aside from that, the experience was great. The room also came with welcome fruits and a blind box doll. Since there were two of us, I asked if we could get another one, and a robot delivered it to us. You can choose your pillows, and in the evening, they offer turn-down service items like Yangzhou University yogurt, health tea, handmade cookies. Earplugs and steam eye masks are also available. The drinks in the minibar are all complimentary. We also got free hot spring tickets and a travel photoshoot. Unfortunately, we encountered a typhoon during our stay, and the high-speed train was canceled, so we had to rebook our tickets. We didn't have time for the photoshoot, but I plan to experience Building 18 next time and definitely get photos done then. The Imperial Guesthouse is huge, and there's a mini-train shuttle to get around. Delivery drivers don't seem to be allowed inside; they drop off food at the entrance, and then a small cart takes it to the various buildings, and a robot delivers it to the room. I had a craft class booked in advance for Sunday, and when my delivery arrived at Building 8, I contacted the butler, who even had someone bring it up to the floor where I was doing my craft. I'm really grateful for that! In my building, you can also feed koi fish; just ask the front desk for fish food. Finally, I'm incredibly, super satisfied with Luna, my butler for this stay. I think she's around my age (I was born in '02, haha). The custom room key card process also totally understood me! She helped create a unique room card that my friend and I were both very happy with. She was also very responsive to my messages, almost always fulfilling my requests, and even thoughtfully arranged a late checkout for me. I'm truly so grateful! I hope I get to meet you again next time!

The hotel is connected to the Slender West Lake scenic area, with a shuttle bus conveniently taking guests to the express entrance. There's also the Youyuan Teahouse within the resort, which offers free shuttle service, making it easy to enjoy a morning tea and visit Slender West Lake without extra hassle. The resort boasts beautiful scenery and the staff are very welcoming. I'm looking forward to visiting again in winter.

A hotel full of surprises that exceeded our expectations! First, they informed us we could get a free upgrade to a larger room (much better than Suzhou Guoyuan Hotel, which tries to make you pay more for upgrades). Second, the in-room washer/dryer was a thoughtful touch. At check-out, they gave our child a cute coffee-scented bear charm and a souvenir room card, which my child absolutely loved. You guys really know how to make guests happy and understand what we want. Thumbs up! 👍

This is my second time staying here, and the environment and scenery are still fantastic. My first visit was in spring, and it truly felt like 'fireworks in March in Yangzhou' – the views were amazing. This time, I came in summer; the hot weather made me a bit irritable, but I still found the scenery quite nice. The complimentary traditional Chinese style photoshoot and hot springs were excellent, and everyone was very satisfied.

I was on a business trip and my family came along. I booked a separate room for them, and they were very happy with it. We had lunch and dinner at the hotel's 'Black Pearl' restaurant, and the buffet breakfast at Building 18 was excellent. It was also convenient for exploring the area.

I upgraded to a deluxe garden-view room in Building 11, and the room was absolutely lovely. The large bay window offered a direct view of the guesthouse's black swan pond – beautiful scenery! You can enjoy hot spring facilities directly within the hotel, and there's a free shuttle to Qu Yuan Tea House. The guesthouse's garden itself is stunning, and the Slender West Lake scenic area is just across the lake.

This 25-day trip concluded with three days in Yangzhou. The room was nice, but it's roadside, overlooking a property under construction and renovation. The hotel's hardware is decent, but the software (service and management) is far below par, even worse than some 3-star business hotels. If, like me, a pleasant breakfast is a crucial part of your family vacation, I highly recommend you reconsider this hotel. Their restaurant, from management to both soft and hardware, has significant issues. The staff seems untrained; there are huge deficiencies from greeting and seating guests to clearing tables, refilling food, and restocking utensils. On the first morning, I offered some well-intentioned suggestions for improvement. Laughably, the MOD chose to transfer us (for free) to the mountain/water restaurant. I eat breakfast for convenience, to stroll in at my leisure, not to wait and be hassled first thing in the morning. Later, they offered an afternoon tea – who needs that? For the next two days, the restaurant still had major problems. Since there were no changes, it indicates significant issues with the hotel's management and operations: unclear responsibilities, buck-passing, unmotivated staff, and arrogant management. The children's play area equipment is of poor quality; broken equipment isn't repaired promptly, serving merely as decoration. As for the hotel's scenery, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I found it uninspiring. The complimentary travel photoshoot was poorly executed. The staff seemed bothered, gave perfunctory service, and the styling was bad, so naturally, the photos weren't good. Guests wouldn't have any difficult-to-choose photos to pay extra for. It would have been better not to offer this freebie at all. Slippers in the swimming pool were stuffed back into the cabinet by the previous guests after use. Table placemats in the restaurant were cleared after the previous guests and then placed on another table. Quite 'unique,' wouldn't you say? Upon check-in, I asked if an upgrade was possible, and the reply was that I had already booked the best room type, so no upgrade was available. Then they said they hoped we would have a good stay and give a good review. 😂 At check-out, the MOD insisted on giving us a gift: two yogurts and a small, egg-sized plush toy. We declined; we understand the principle of 'taking a gift implies obligation.' But for a hotel displaying a five-star rating and the 'State Guesthouse' signboard to offer such service, don't they feel ashamed?